Beverly, Salem Awarded $425K In MA Coastal Resilience Grants

SALEM, MA — Beverly and Salem shoreline projects were among those chosen to share in $7.9 million in coastal resiliency grants through the state's Coastal Resilience Grant Program.

Beverly was awarded $325,000 for the design of a resilient Lynch Park, while Salem was awarded $110,000 for a pathway and bank restoration at Winter Island.

"As a former mayor of a coastal community, I know firsthand the challenges our cities and towns are facing when it comes to tackling coastal flooding and erosion," said Lt. Gov. and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. "Our coastlines are part of Massachusetts' culture, and these grants will help provide support needed to ensure our communities can develop pragmatic approaches to maintain their quality of life."

The Coastal Resilience Grant Program provides funding and technical assistance for local efforts to evaluate vulnerabilities to climate impacts, increase community awareness and understanding of these issues, plan for changing conditions, redesign vulnerable community facilities and infrastructure, and restore shoreline systems.

Grants may fund feasibility assessments, public outreach, design, permitting, construction, and monitoring of projects that enhance or create natural buffers to erosion and flooding.

"In the past year, we've seen extreme storms bring catastrophic damage across the state," Gov. Maura Healey said. "We need urgent action to address these escalating impacts of climate change.

"Building resilience along our coastal communities is a matter of public health, safety, and a strong economy. This grant program demonstrates our administration's commitment to working with our local partners to expand and improve climate change solutions."

Beverly's funding will help evaluate the potential impacts of climate change to the seawall and to develop plans to mitigate flooding, and drainage and protect public access and amenities in the popular shoreline park.

Saelm's funding will go toward coastal erosion at Winter Island through community engagement, pedestrian management, and assessments of shoreline erosion and invasive plants.

Salem officials said the project will help preserve a valuable recreational and historical resource in the city.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)